LP - LADYBUG TRANSISTOR - CLUTCHING STEMS

Over the course of some 16 years and 6 remarkable albums, The Ladybug Transistor have confirmed their standing as the preeminent exponents of lush, formalist pop music. Formed in the mid-90s around Brooklyn native Gary Olson''s collaborations with friends, they released debut Marlborough Farms in 1995 Shortly after the completion of 2007 album Can''t Wait Another Day,the band was confronted with the tragic death of longtime drummer San Fadyl. For a time, the idea of continuing without their beloved friend seemed unthinkable. Eventually, though, the band quietly gathered new recruits (Mark Dzula, Eric Farber, Michael O''Neill) and embarked on writing a new album with Fadyl''s memory squarely in mind. The resulting effort is their forthcoming release Clutching Stems, a stunning collection of potent refrains and brought-to-one''s-knees ballads. As ever, Olson is in fine form; here, his lyrics compel, detailing an overarching search to find one''s voice in the face of moments that knock the wind and words right out of a person. These are stories of humbling heartbreak, profound longing, undoing distress, nagging regret, and coming-of-age awakenings-all set to invigorated pop arrangements featuring backing vocals by Frida Eklund. The Ladybug Transistor make music that is somehow both modern and timeless, universal and yet theirs alone. TRACKLISTING: 01. CLUTCHING STEMS 02. LIGHT ON THE NARROW GAUGE 03. FALLEN AND FALLING 04. IGNORE THE BELL 05. OH CRISTINA 06. CAUGHT DON''T WALK 07. BREAKING UP ON THE BEAT 08. INTO THE STRAIT 09. HEY JACK I''M ON FIRE 10. LIFE LESS TRUE